Sep 15

How important is it to be culturally diverse? How much do you truly know about your culture, let alone someone else’s?

Whenever my grandparents come over or I go to visit, they always share stories about our heritage or how things used to be. Every time it’s a different story. They could literally go on for days telling just one story. The grandchildren just sit there listening attentively, asking questions here and there. Over the years I’ve come to realize how little I know about my own culture. Then I think to myself, how much do I know about other cultures and customs? If I were to go to a foreign place, would I know the customs and social norms – probably not. Whose fault was it that I knew so little about myself? It was my own, especially in the world we live today. The world is slowly getting smaller thanks to social media and other internet based forums. Anything you want to know or learn about is only a click away. There is no reason to be out of the loop when it comes to different cultures norms and customs, especially your own. You just have to have the urge to explore.

There are so many great ways to learn about other cultures – you just have to find what suits you best. Whether it’s through cooking, traveling, or simply going online and asking somebody what you want to know, there is an infinite amount of information available. These various avenues can help grow your knowledge base and assist you in becoming more culturally diverse. Having this information also helps you when dealing with people and various situations. Knowing where a person comes from or how their cultural norms, aids you in understanding why people do what they do. It will while also help you in making better decisions when communicating, to avoid offending others.

Scarlet Says…You don’t have to be an expert on every culture known to man, as that would be asking too much. However, you should be familiar with your own and the one’s that you often interface with. Get to know people and talk to them. Be inquisitive and ask questions appropriately. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make some great experiences as you immerse yourself in different cultures.

May 15

Guess what week it is! It’s National Etiquette Week and Scarlet will not miss this opportunity to get in on the action! You can look out for fun opportunities to engage with Scarlet all week long.

Monday: Kick off your week with positivity and thanks! Write 3 people a hand written thank you note thanking them for something that they’ve done for you. Believe me – they’ll remember and it’ll get you some major relationship building points. We stopped by Michael’s and they have a fantastic sale on thank you cards!

Tuesday: Share your etiquette pet peeves! The only way we can really live, work and play together is if we’re aware of how to best engage with each other. Share these pet peeves on our Facebook wall, by tagging us on Twitter or even tagging us in a photo on Instagram! We look forward to seeing your posts! Don’t forget the hashtag: #scarletetiquetteweek2015

Wednesday: What’s one etiquette rule that you think should totally go out the door? We embrace modern, real-world etiquette so we’re dying to know your thoughts! Share your items on our Facebook wall, by tagging us on Twitter or even tagging us in a photo on Instagram! We look forward to seeing your posts! Don’t forget the hashtag: #scarletetiquetteweek2015

Thursday: If there were a Scarlet Award – an award for someone who exemplifies what it means to be considerate of others, embrace perspectives and has a great sense of style, let us know. This doesn’t need to be the quintessential standard of what “style” normally is. This could be someone who just has their own flare, style or look. Who do you know? Let us know! Post about them on our Facebook wall, by tagging us and them on Twitter or even uploading a photo of them and tagging us on Instagram! We look forward to seeing your posts! Don’t forget the hashtag: #scarletetiquetteweek2015

Friday: If you could change your workplace by enforcing this one office etiquette practice. What would it be? Share your item on our Facebook wall, by tagging us on Twitter or even tagging us in a photo on Instagram! We look forward to seeing your posts! Don’t forget the hashtag: #scarletetiquetteweek2015

We are super siked about all your upcoming posts this week! If you don’t want to engage online, but you still want to share, simply email us at info@scarletcomm.com.

Jan 12

Bullying in schools is definitely a huge problem worldwide. Although it is not something new, meaning that it is something that many of our parents and grandparents had to deal with growing up, it has reached new extremes partially due to many popular social networking websites. Social networking websites have made it to where children are no longer just bullied from 8am-3pm. It follow them home at night and even on the weekend where they would usually be safe from other children’s taunting.

You may not realize this, but constant bullying in or out of school can affect many aspects of a teen’s life. Teen bullying can cause teenagers to feel anxious and afraid. It can affect their concentration in school and lead them to avoid school in many cases. Bullying if continued over time can begin to affect the teens self -esteem and feelings of self worth.

What can you do about bullying?

The most important thing you can do is listen to your child or any child close to you that admits to being bullied. Ask your child about school and their experiences with bullies, direct or indirect. Look at your child’s behavior when they are around other children. Let your child know that it is not ok to bully other children.

Teach your children how to handle bullying situations warning your child never to resort to violence, even as a reaction to a bully. Encourage children to stand up to bullies and ask adults for help.

Last but not least, although you may be tempted to intervene by confronting the bully directly, please refrain from doing so. Things will most likely get out of hand and this will only make matters worse.

Scarlet reminds you that bullying is a huge problem worldwide, it is up to you to communicate with your children and not assume that they know all they need to know about bullying.

…until next time…

31

Oct 11

Trick or treating makes Halloween one of kids’ favorite days of the year. Please be mindful that as with everything else in life there is a right and a wrong way to trick or treat. It is only right that Scarlet helps you by giving you a few tips that will aid in knowing the right way to have fun and get the best treats during Halloween!

Wear a costume… If you are going trick-or-treating wear an appropriate costume. Halloween is not an excuse to dress in a way that you would not normally. Masks are fun and often scare little kids, however most people answering their doors are not a fan of these. Wearing make-up is a great substitute for a mask.

Look for a doorbell… Ring it once, and once only. If there is not a doorbell it is okay to knock, again once only. Give the people time to answer the door. Do not continue to knock and ring the doorbell. It may take a few seconds…relax the treats are coming!

Say, “trick-or-treat”… It is why you are there, so say it happily. People at the door may ask questions and say things about your costumes. Answer them politely and smile.

Say “Thank You!”… There is nothing people like to hear more than a ‘thank you’ when they are sharing with you. If your kids need a little prompting, do it.

Go to a house once… It is not good Halloween etiquette to go back to a house you have already been to.

If the lights are off the house is closed… This means that they have either run out of candy or they are not there.

SORRY but if you have a driver’s license you are too old. The only exception to this rule is if you are taking a younger sibling trick-or-treating.